Setting Up a Homework System

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Hey there! I'm Jessica. I think that motherhood should be savored, like a good piece of chocolate. But sometimes it feels like more duty than delight. Am I right? I'm working to change that. Read more about me here and this blog here.

Homework is a fact of life for most kids. Check out these tips on how to set up a homework system that works.

It’s amazing to me how early children start receiving homework these days. Truth be told, the first homework I ever remember receiving was in sixth grade.

(My fifth grade teacher attends my church and he assures me that he did give us limited homework, but it clearly wasn’t enough to leave an impression!)

These days, kids can expect to start bringing home homework by about the first grade, if not kindergarten. It’s a new world out there. From math worksheets to reading logs to “books in a bag” to projects, there always seems to be something for which they are responsible.

Not surprisingly, this can quickly get overwhelming if you don’t lead the charge!

Setting up a Homework System

Whether you’re parenting one or many, the paperwork and assignments build up at a shocking rate. Left alone, this can quickly spiral into a mass of clutter and disorganization. Homework is an area where it definitely pays to have a plan.

Here’s where to start in setting up a homework system:

Set clear expectations.

The quickest way to get in over your head is to have no expectations in place. There’s not one organizing system on Pinterest that will save you if you haven’t laid out clear guidelines for your children.

:: Let them know who’s in charge of unpacking the backpack— is it their job? Will you do it?

:: Tell them when the task needs to be completed. Do you want them unpacked immediately? After supper?

:: Give specific instructions for where things should be placed. Where should the lunchbox go? Is there a clear spot for important paperwork? Where will they take their homework materials to get started?

While these all seem like very basic questions, they’re super important when it comes to keeping homework organized. Without these expectations set– and made clear– it’s all-too-easy for things to be forgotten or misplaced.

Have a designated work space.

Once unpacked, it’s important to avoid the next “danger zone” for losing things or creating unnecessary clutter. This can be achieved by having a known designated place for homework to be completed.

Please realize that this doesn’t have to be anything fancy. A cleared end of the table or quiet corner of the home is just fine. As long as the needed materials (paper, pencils, erasers, etc.) are convenient and there’s room to work, any place can be a good spot. Do consider the individual child’s preference for quiet vs. noise and company vs. solitude when choosing a location but, once it’s set, try to stick with it.

Having a designated work space helps alleviate misplaced papers and assignments that get scattered in various rooms and places.

Establish an “all done” plan.

Once the child has completed the work, where do you want them to place the assignment? Be sure they know if you expect them to put them back in their folders and backpacks right away or if you need to review them first.

If you’ll need to look over the work before returning it to school, consider having folders or small shelves specifically for that purpose.

If I’ve learned nothing else from working in an elementary school, it’s that children do brilliantly when given “a place for everything and everything in its place.” After you’ve reviewed it, remember to be clear about whose job it is to move it back to the backpack– will you do it? Or should the child plan to retrieve it from the folder/shelf and pack it up? Ironing out those little details can really help avoid misunderstanding.

Remember your parent homework.

Most parents I know are required to initial reading logs, sign off on homework agendas, respond to Friday journals, or acknowledge receipt of one thing or another. Those things? Are our job.

However– don’t be afraid to ask your children to take charge of that one, too. If you can’t remember whose books needs signing and whose worksheet needs initialing, communicate that to them. Let them know that they’ll need to bring these items to you to be signed and then you’ll be happy to do so. Shifting that little responsibility has made a significant difference in our home and has really helped my kids take on accountability, while freeing up my brain for other things…

– A mother of three, including a 24 week preemie, JessieLeigh is a determined advocate for even the tiniest of babies. She can be found celebrating life’s (sometimes unexpected) miracles and blessings at Parenting Miracles.

Comments

This is a wonderful piece with great advice!. I am a retired first grade teacher and, yes, I did give reading homework. I could tell a huge difference between children that completed their homework daily and those that did not. There is one caveat. If the assignment your child is given regularly seems to be too difficult and causes undue stress, you need to talk to your child’s teacher and see what can be done to remedy the situation. If a parent would do this, the teacher should be help the situation by altering the homework or offering advice on how best to conduct it.

At the first grade level, I didn’t want the reading session to last more than fifteen minutes, certainly no more than 30 min. for assigned reading. I made this clear to parents at the beginning of the year. One parent still failed to read the student handbook for my class and made the homework assignment a grueling challenge for all concerned. (This happened during my last year of teaching. If I had taught another year, I would have put my warning on all homework assignment sheets.)

Real family discord occuring during homework needs to be discussed with the teacher that assigns the homework. Perhaps she/he can alter the homework or offer suggestions for coping with the problem. You and your teacher should share what you know about how your child approaches his work and whether or not you believe the difficulty level is above the child’s capabilities. A teacher can’t address a problem she doesn’t know about.

Excellent advice, Beverly! Our teachers have told us the same. I have one child in particular who sometimes struggles mightily with math and we’ve learned to just draw a line and attach a note so the teacher knows. It’s super helpful for all involved. 🙂

Hi! I'm Jessica. I want to help YOU get great meals on the table -- and keep that smile on your face. Read more here.

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